SHILLONG:
The Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) has criticised that the budget presented by Chief Minister Conrad Sangma stating that it failed to address the fundamental core issues that the state desperately need.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, MPCC Secretary of finance and social media, Manuel Badwar said that the budget presented on Wednesday will add more burden to the people of the state.
“The budget lacks vision and initiatives to overcome the current crisis that has been brought about by COVID,” Badwar said.
He said that the budget fails to address the issues of unemployment, employment generation and means to provide sustainable opportunities for the people.
Pointing out that the fiscal deficit itself has gone up to Rs 1849 crore from Rs 1570 crore in the previous year, he accused the government of focusing more on borrowings rather than internal generation of funds and as a result, the interest payment has increased to Rs 110 crore accompanied by loan repayment of Rs 946 crore.
“We are not in a very good position as we are dependent on loans and the worst part is that a sizable amount of loans is taken from expensive sources such as HUDCO for Rs 800 crore,” he pointed out.
Observing that the revenue receipt has not gone up primarily because of the inability to improve tax collection and as an example mining and quarry itself saw a huge slump where it contributed to less than 1% of state GSDP, he said, “Inspite of seeing many coal-laden trucks plying on the road, the government is not receiving an income from these which is impacting us in a big way.”
Speaking on initiatives taken by the government, Badwar said the fund allocation for tourism infrastructure does not match the hype citing examples of dilapidated roads leading to tourist destinations.
Speaking of ISBT, he said, “The ISBT was also inaugurated last year with such fanfare but what has happened to it? Till today we see that the gates are still close and it is non-functional.”
He also pointed out that allocation in medical and public health for development expenditure has also decreased.